Dive Brief:
- The FDA is emphasizing data management as a means of prevention and accountability for food safety, which bakers should utilize to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act, according to an article in Baking Business.
- Data management can assist bakers by helping with preventive process and food allergen and sanitation controls, as well as supply chain controls and a recall plan.
- A baker’s recipe management system can be connected to an ERP system, keeping track of the ingredients and amounts used, which helps bakers examine key parameters and trends to improve their process.
Dive Insight:
It seems tech companies have finally convinced food manufacturers that data management is a tool for prevention as well as accountability when it comes to food safety.
More systems are coming online, and they can perform a variety of tasks, including automatic documentation, assessing ingredients, monitoring potential food safety issues, providing risk assessments for ingredients suppliers and identifying micro and chemical raw material risk issues.
That’s important with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act now in play.
According to the FDA, FSMA focuses on amplifying preventive controls for food production in order to alleviate potential food contamination outbreaks. It requires that all food facilities identify and implement controls to minimize hazards.
Food safety regulations require extensive record keeping when a food safety incident occurs, with clearly defined corrective actions. The analysis and recording capabilities of data management systems will help producers monitor product quality at every step of the process, enabling them to account for full traceability of all processes and materials.